Child Marriages on the Rise in Gaza Amid Conflict

In Gaza’s turmoil, Majda faced unimaginable struggles after losing her husband and eldest son in Israeli airstrikes. Living in dire conditions, she feared for her daughters’ safety. To secure some semblance of security, she made a choice she deeply regrets, marrying off her daughters, aged 13 and 14, hoping to safeguard them.

The ongoing conflict has led to an increase in child marriages, driven by the dire living situations in these camps. Most parents seek stability for their daughters, but the consequence for many girls is a loss of childhood and, often, dangerous pregnancies.

Increase in Child Marriages

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, child marriage had been declining in Gaza before the war. In 2022, 17.8% of marriages involved girls under 18, a decrease from over 22% in 2015. But this trend reversed during the conflict. The Supreme Shariah Court in Gaza reported that approximately 20.6% of marriages in 2024 and 2025 involved minors, a significant portion of whom were under 15.

Amid the chaos, many marriages went unregistered, suggesting potentially higher numbers. Reports from families reveal that desperation amidst displacement and conflict fuels the rise in child marriages. Majda and other families felt pressured into these decisions by the severe lack of resources.

Struggles and Violence

Majda recounted her daughters’ ordeals. Her eldest faced horrific abuse when forced to join her 23-year-old husband. Despite promises, Majda’s daughters experienced violence and threats, leading them to flee back to their mother, one carrying her child for miles.

The maternity ward in Awda Hospital reported a rise in teenage pregnancies amidst dire conditions. Many girls, malnourished and young, faced severe complications. Majda’s daughters resumed life with her but felt immense societal pressure and faced a difficult decision about returning to their husbands.

Legal and Social Challenges

In Gaza, the minimum legal age for marriage is 17, allowing exceptions with consent. However, informal agreements bypass official registration. This situation differs from the West Bank, where the legal age is 18, and early marriages significantly declined.

Conflicts have driven conservative practices like child marriage, believed to offer stability. Yet, these girls become vulnerable to abuse and difficult pregnancies. Divorce, though possible, is complex and stigmatized in Gaza, limiting future prospects.

Majda’s daughters returned reluctantly to their husband’s families, illustrating the harsh reality many face amidst conflict, societal pressure, and limited options.